they should just upgrade all the pets to have an beneficial effect in battle.
standard version and exclusive pets, but with equal power. (so there is no 'exclusive backer' stat advantage; only a backer exclusive graphic)
have several different pets and let a pet swap out happen at the stronghold. maybe choose one at the beginning stat roll as others have suggested but by the time the stronghold is in your possession surely there would have been more encounters to recruit some additional pet assistants.
if i had a pet that just watched or ran away while some enemies wailed on me then showed up after i barely survived id be pretty pissed at the pet.
at least something like this if the pets wont do damage in battle:
a pet raccoon could at least gather up the gold dropped after battle. those guys are always tearing into some stuff.
id like it if a wolf/dog/or hybrid mythical beast distracted the enemy by biting them in the nards.
an avian pet could at least take a dump and blind some enemies from a save height at the very least.
the tigers in the Dynasty Warriors series didn't need encouragement to help out in the melee.
"they didnt need no instructions, to know how to rock, meat man"-Carl
they should just upgrade all the pets to have an beneficial effect in battle. standard version and exclusive pets, but with equal power. (so there is no 'exclusive backer' stat advantage; only a backer exclusive graphic) have several different pets and let a pet swap out happen at the stronghold. maybe choose one at the beginning stat roll as others have suggested but by the time the stronghold is in your possession surely there would have been more encounters to recruit some additional pet assistants. if i had a pet that just watched or ran away while some enemies wailed on me then showed up after i barely survived id be pretty pissed at the pet. at least something like this if the pets wont do damage in battle: a pet raccoon could at least gather up the gold dropped after battle. those guys are always tearing into some stuff. id like it if a wolf/dog/or hybrid mythical beast distracted the enemy by biting them in the nards. an avian pet could at least take a dump and blind some enemies from a save height at the very least. the tigers in the Dynasty Warriors series didn't need encouragement to help out in the melee. "they didnt need no instructions, to know how to rock, meat man"-Carl